IT’S DECEMBER…which basically means it’s Christmas (cue tree going up, Micheal Buble’s album playing and tinsel covering ALL surfaces). I have to admit I’ve already eaten my way through a box and a half of mince pies and started planning fun, festive days out to do throughout December. YAY CHRISTMAS.
I like gingerbread, stars are my favourite shape and Christmas trees are the ultimate sign of Christmas…so, Christmas Tree Biscuits made up of gingerbread stars was really something I HAD TO make. Another bonus is that they’re so simple to make it’s silly. Normally, when I browse Pinterest I find recipes and crafts that are well beyond my skill set and patience (I’m still sad about my rainbow cake fail) but even I could do these. Although mine don’t exactly look as perfect as the ones I found on Pinterest they certainly make up for it in flavour.
I found this recipe and method >> HERE <<
Lets do this (they’re so easy!)
Part 1.
Start by creaming together the butter, sugar and honey in a large bowl. If you have an electric mixer- go ahead and use it but if not just mix until pale and fluffy.
Add the egg and beat well. Next sift the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon and ginger. Stir altogether until the mixture comes together to form a ball- you may have to get your hands dirty for this step!
Sprinkle some plain flour on your work top, and gently knead until smooth.
Finish off the part 1 by covering in cling flim and popping in the fridge for 30 mins. (time to clean up OR make a cuppa- I went with the latter).
Part 2.
I forget to preheat the oven EVERYTIME. You’ll need it on 180C for these biccies. Line two baking trays with baking paper.
Part 3.
Sprinkle some flour on your work surface again. Roll out your dough on the floured surface until it’s about 2mm thick.
Then you’re ready to use your star shapes! Cut as many stars as you can in the different sizes. Any left over scraps can be rolled out again to cut out more stars.
Place your cut out stars on your baking trays (make sure non are touching).
Bake for 6 minutes/ until lightly browned.
When the beepers goes, take them out and allow to cool for 2 mins before moving them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Let’s make the icing…
Lightly whisk the egg white until foamy.
Gradually whisk in the icing sugar- carefully, you don’t want to end up looking like a snowman (like I did). Add the lemon and mix until smooth.
If you have a piping bag- Great, yours will look a lot neater than mine! I didn’t have a piping bag so, I went for the rustic approach of cutting a hole in a plastic bag. It works, but it didn’t go as neat as I wanted- You do get that homemade look though! Wait for the icing to harden before moving on to the next step.
Yay, we can start assembling the trees. Place the stars on top of each other, using a dot of icing to stick them together. To get the top one to stand- I may have cheated and used a toothpick to help!
